Embarrassing Batting And...? 3 Reasons Why Pakistan Lost The 1st T20I Vs New Zealand

Reasons why Pakistan lost the match [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.com]

The excitement was at its peak when Pakistan Vs New Zealand 1st T20I match started, however, that same excitement soon went down as Pakistan crumbled under pressure and got knocked out for their lowest T20I total in New Zealand. This was a one-sided contest as the visitors were never really in the contest.

Pakistan fielded a great bunch of youngsters, but everyone disappointed as the Men in Green now trail 0-1 in the series. With the game done and dusted, we look at the key reasons for Pakistan's heavy defeat.

1) Embarrassing batting failure

None of the top order batter stood tall against the Kiwi bowlers as Pakistan got humbled by an inexperienced New Zealand attack. The two openers got dismissed for ducks and none of the senior batters in Shadab Khan and Agha Salman stood tall for the side.

(Batters performance in 1st T2OI)

Just one player crossed the double-digit score as Pakistan batters produced an embarrassing batting feat and failed to justify their place in the team.

Surprise exclusion of Usman Khan

Everyone was ready to witness Pakistan unleash Usman Khan against the Kiwis, but instead, he was warming the bench as the. team introduced three debutants. On such small grounds, Usman would have been a dangerous batter and the stats tells the exact story.

(Usman Khan T20 stats)

He is perhaps the only batter from Pakistan who could have taken down the Kiwi attack with ease, but instead, the team management went in with stroke-makers in place of hard-hitting batter like Usman and it costed them big time. After the Champions Trophy, selectors wanted Pakistan to play an aggressive brand of cricket, and the one who plays in such a way was neglected for the first T20I.

3) Team lost the match even before series started

Yes, you heard that right, Pakistan lost the match even before the series commenced. They appointed someone like Agha Salman as the leader of the team, while his own T20I performance is questionable. In 7 T20Is, he only has 83 runs, with a strike-rate of just 81.92. A player who hasn't performed in T20Is, cannot be your captain.

(Agha Salman T20 stats)

Similarly, Shadab Khan, who was removed from the T20I squad, was suddenly brought back into the team, and that too as a vice-captain.

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